Archives: 2003-2014

RaincrossSquare.com v1.0: Archives from November 2003 to June 2014.

Riverside’s Orange Blossom Festival

This weekend, Riverside — and Inland Southern California in general — celebrates its heralded citrus heritage with the annual “Orange Blossom Festival.” You can thank Eliza Tibbets for the 11th Orange Blossom Festival that will transform 30 square blocks of downtown Riverside this weekend into a happenin’ place. Organizers expect more than 200,000 visitors. Riverside Press-Enterprise –…

2005 - Los Angeles Times

3.8 million and counting

According to the latest population estimates just released by the U.S. Census Bureau, Inland Southern California once again led the state in population growth as both Riverside and San Bernardino counties ranked in the top 5 in the number of new residents. Together, the two counties added nearly 150,000 residents between July 2003 and July…

2005 - The Business Press

Inland SoCal’s demographics rising

Since 1980, Inland Southern California’s population has more than doubled from 1.5 million residents to 3.6 million (Census – 2003 county estimates). If ranked separately, it would be country’s 13th most-populous region (sandwiched between Miami and Seattle metro areas). Along with such phenomenal growth has come large jumps in other demographic stats, such as job…

2010 - Post-restoration of Thunderbird sign in Riverside (RXSQ)

Neon be gone?

One of the finest neon signs from Riverside’s post-war past may soon be coming down in the name of progress. The owner of the Thunderbird Lodge located at 2711 University Avenue is in the midst of a $1.3 million overhaul of the atomic-era motel. Sadly, not included within the renovation are plans to keep the…

Life outside city limits

So, you’ve recently moved into your brand new suburban tract home in what the developer has cheerfully marketed as “The Corona Valley.” It’s a 5-bedroom, mini-mansion complete with 4 large bathrooms, a second-floor “landing,” built-in multimedia/entertainment centers, Sub-Zero appliances, walk-in closets galore, and a large backyard with lush landscaping to boot. The schools are new,…

2005 - Connector ramp to westbound 91 under construction above Spruce Street bridge (RXSQ)

Work on Riverside interchange resumes

An apparent settlement between Caltrans and a major contractor has put workers back on site at the $318 million reconstruction of the 60/91/215 freeway interchange in downtown Riverside. The project is designed to reduce traffic at the intersection of highways 60 and 91 and Interstate 215. The job includes two new freeway-to-freeway connectors, upgraded bridges…

November 2004 - Connector to westbound 91 under construction (RXSQ)

Contract dispute halts work on ‘Malfunction Junction’

After years of waiting for reconstruction of the 60/91/215 freeway interchange in downtown Riverside — AKA “Malfunction Junction” — drivers will have to wait even longer as a recent contract dispute between Caltrans and the primary contractor (Washington-Obayashi) has halted work on the $318 million project. After a year of commitment, the contractor on the…

Inland migration

Numbers released this week by California Department of Finance reveal that once again, Inland Southern California leads the state in population growth as both Riverside and San Bernardino counties added nearly 140,000 residents between July 2003 and July 2004. The increases are particularly notable because Riverside and San Bernardino counties already had more than 3.6…